Evidence not ideology: Why a customs union is best for Britain

A comprehensive customs union, after transition, is a 'practical, real-world answer' that could help resolve some of the complex issues raised by the UK's Exit from the EU, says Director-General Carolyn Fairbairn.

2018 must be the year of hard choices, based on evidence not ideology, Carolyn Fairbairn, Director-General of the CBI will say in a speech on Monday (22 Jan). We should consign Leave and Remain labels to history, she will add – “the overriding goal now is a good Brexit."

Speaking at the University of Warwick, Carolyn will say time is running out and businesses urgently need decisions to protect UK jobs and growth. Clarity, flexibility and urgency are vital to get a “good Brexit for Britain”, requiring a fundamental change in approach.

Carolyn will call for a status quo, jobs-first transition deal to be nailed down in the next 70 days to remove the cliff edge for firms. A united UK view is needed by April - allowing talks to begin that month and unambiguous heads of terms agreed with the EU by October.

Urging rapid agreement on the shape of a new deal, Carolyn will say neither the Canada nor Norway models represent the best solution for business or for Britain.

The Canada model, she will say, “is an ocean away from what we need. We can’t afford higher barriers to trade, and nor can the EU.”

To achieve a good Brexit, she will say both sets of negotiators must revisit red lines, putting economics before politics to protects jobs and communities on both sides of the Channel.

In this spirit, Carolyn will propose that a comprehensive customs union between the UK and the EU should be on the table as a “practical, real-world answer” that goes a long way towards solving some of the complex issues, including the Irish border question, raised by the UK’s exit from the EU.

She will argue that a good customs union, built on lessons learnt from others, is best for jobs, wages and living standards after the transition period ends.

For the final deal, she will urge negotiators to adopt a simple principle – “start with the rules we already share, and move on from there. They have been 40 years in the making and support millions of jobs and communities across the UK and Europe.”

Carolyn will add that for many sectors of our economy, this approach could make all the difference.

She will conclude by stressing the urgency of the challenge. “Time is running out – by March next year our country will be out of the EU.

“Decisions must be taken fast, or firms will have no choice but to trigger their Plan Bs – more jobs and investment will leave our shores and future generations will pay the price.”

Introducing her speech, Carolyn will say:

“The global economy is booming and UK products and services are in demand the world over.

“We couldn’t be better placed to be international leaders in the industries of the future - from tech and life sciences to advanced manufacturing and education.

“Yet while UK businesses are optimistic, they are also deeply apprehensive.

“They’re not looking for a referendum re-run, but do need a good Brexit deal to keep investing and creating jobs - and speed matters.

“Firms warmly welcomed progress in December but January has brought a cold dose of reality.

“The EU is adamant the only options are existing models that don’t serve either side.

“The UK team can’t agree with itself, let alone with the EU.

“There’s too much ideology, too little urgency.

“It doesn’t have to be like this. If there’s one thing business does know, it’s negotiation. It’s about reaching deals that work for both sides, based on evidence.”

On the need for greater clarity for businesses, Carolyn will say:

“It’s about the UK being clear on what we want, the consequences if we get it wrong and the opportunities if we get it right.

“But the Norwegian model’s lower level of control is a problem. There’s the obligation to permit the four freedoms, and the substantial contribution Norway pays to EU countries.

“There are some business problems too, such as the delay in the transposition of EU rules.

“For example, a delay in applying rules on salmon sourcing meant trucks full of fish were stopped at the border.

“A copy and paste of Norway’s deal could create similar problems here, and in Antwerp, or Newry.

“So while a Norway deal would provide market access, the UK would need more control.”

On the need for greater flexibility from both sets of negotiators, Carolyn will say:

“If this was a hard-headed business negotiation these facts would prompt both sides to think again.

“It would be time for revisiting red lines and opening positions.

“That is precisely what needs to happen here, because, with flexibility, a solution that delivers a good measure of both access and control should be possible.

“One that strikes a balance for both the UK and the EU. A solution that’s neither Norwegian nor Canadian, but one focused on prosperity, reflecting the size of our economy and its value as a marketplace next-door to Europe.

“One that builds on 40 years of economic integration, rather than forgetting the past and starting from scratch.”

“Economics and prosperity must be put ahead of politics and red lines.”

On the right starting point for a successful outcome, Carolyn will say:

“On both sides of the Channel these kinds of solutions are already being sketched.

“In seeking the best final deal, I’d like to suggest that negotiators adopt one simple principle.

“And that is to start with rules we already share, and move on from there.

“They have been 40 years in the making and support millions of jobs and communities across the UK and Europe.

“For many sectors of our economy, this approach could make all the difference.

“A flexible solution of this kind could preserve many benefits of barrier-free access to the single market while respecting the referendum call for more control - meeting the needs of business and politicians on both sides of the Channel.”

On the business case for a customs union with the EU, Carolyn will say:

“The idea behind a customs union is simple: a single set of tariffs for goods imported from outside the EU, enabling tariff free trade within it.

“It brings no obligations over freedom of movement, or payment and removes some of the heaviest trade barriers.

“Importantly, it would go a long way towards solving the border problem in Ireland.

“Some have suggested that the Irish border be kept seamless by establishing a customs border in the Irish sea - but that just moves the issue.

“The solution has been deferred - but it can’t be forever.

“We recognise this isn’t easy, and of course it’s worth looking at the alternatives.

“Yet unless and until we find one that works, a customs union is part of a practical, real-world answer.

“Of course, we’d need to negotiate a good customs deal, and learn from the lessons of others, but it’s the right ambition, with a strong business case to back it up.

“And it needn’t stop us keeping an eye on our global trade interests.

“There may come a day when the opportunity to fully set independent trade policies outweighs the value of a customs union with the EU.

“A day when investing time in fast-growing economies elsewhere eclipses the value of frictionless trade in Europe.

“But that day hasn’t yet arrived.

“Take the Trans-Pacific Partnership proposal.

“The 11 countries in the Trans-Pacific Partnership account for only 7% of our trade, while Germany alone accounts for 11%, and for the EU 43%.

“Remaining a member of a customs union for as long as it serves us to do so is consistent with the result of the referendum, and would be good for EU firms too.”

Concluding her speech, Carolyn will stress the need for urgency:

“Time is running out – by March next year our country will be out of the EU.

“We need to end this game of who-blinks-first and instead find a new spirit of urgency.

“Firms of all sizes need a clear timetable of decisions this year.

A jobs-first transition deal agreed, in writing within 70 days, by the end of March

A united UK view from government by April, with trade talks beginning that month

And Heads of Terms on the outline final deal signed with the EU by October.

“Then time is up.

“Decisions must be taken fast, or firms will have no choice but to trigger their Plan Bs. More jobs and investment will leave our shores and future generations will pay the price.”